The officers weren’t recognized for their service in the city of Dallas. Instead, Abbott focused on the department's work during and after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

The people who were recognized on Tuesday not only signed up to serve and protect the Dallas community, but they’re also part of the Texas National Guard and made a big impact during the state’s worst natural disaster.

It was Gov. Abbott who activated the entire Texas National Guard last August, calling all 12,000 to action to help save a region underwater. Twenty of them were from the Dallas Police Department.

“It didn’t matter if you were black or white or Asian or Hispanic. It didn’t matter what your religion. It didn’t matter what country you were from. Didn’t matter what your politics were,” Abbott said. “All that mattered is you are a Texan and, by God, there is going to be a Texan there to help rescue you.”

Their roles varied, but the National Guardsmen and women were vital to the search and rescue and the long, painful recovery.